Here is a photo of Matthew:
Crazy huh!
(You can click on the photos to get a better look.)
Monday, November 26, 2007
Definitely Related!
Here is a picture of Dylan at birth:
Here is a photo of Matthew:
Crazy huh!
(You can click on the photos to get a better look.)
Here is a photo of Matthew:
Crazy huh!
(You can click on the photos to get a better look.)
Friday, November 23, 2007
Matthew's Birth Story
Sorry it has taken me so long to finally post Matthew's birth story. So here it is in a nutshell..
As many of you know, half way through through the pregnancy my doctor discussed the possibility of inducing me at 39 weeks. I was really happy about that since this pregnancy was so physically challenging for me. I had constant lower back and round ligament pain. The doctors kept telling me that Matthew was measuring a week ahead i.e. big, so the thought of inducing was really appealing.
During the last few weeks of the pregnancy I had a lot of cramping, Braxton Hicks contractions and other false labor signs. I was also physically exhausted and mentally beat. I was still doing the 15 hour a week commute to work and living in a house without a kitchen. Dylan was induced a week late (at 41 weeks gestation) so I had no idea what real labor pain was, so with this pregnancy I found myself over analyzing every cramp, discharge, bleeding etc.
Anyway, on Monday morning, November 12, I woke up at around 5:30 am thinking that my water bag had ruptured. I had cramping and little blood so we called my doctor's office and was told to come on in to the hospital to be evaluated. We finished packing our bags for the hospital and called Joe's mom so that she could come and get Dylan. We were on the road to the hospital by 10 am.
We went to the new Prentice Women's Hospital (Northwestern Memorial Hospital) in Chicago, checked into triage and three tests were conducted. A urine test, a smear test and a swab test of the fluids. I was also hooked up with belly bands to the heartbeat monitor. They never checked my cervix. Anyway, the tests came back negative for amniotic fluid, so my water bag did not break. My contractions/cramps weren't close enough to keep me in the hospital and we were told to go home. I was so bummed. Especially, since my doctor was planning to induce me the next morning anyway. We were there, with our bags and so ready to have that baby, but no we had to leave.
I called my doctor on the way home and she told me that she did believed that I was in labor, just not "active" labor. We made a confirmed appointment to come in the next morning at 9:30 am (Tuesday morning) to be induced. We got home at around 3 pm and I went straight to bed. I was bleeding more now and had stronger cramps.
We kept Dylan at his Nana's since it was easier than driving back and forth to Crown Point, plus Joe was trying to finish the kitchen and I was not feeling well enough to watch and entertain Dylan.
At about 5:30 pm I started to experience regular contractions that were about 5-7 minutes apart and lasting 30 seconds each. I was pretty surprised at how regular they were, and at this time they weren't painful. Just really regular!
By 10 pm the contractions were definitely 5 minutes apart and lasting about 1 minute each. Much more pain now and man did I wish that I had taken Lamaze! I had no idea how to breathe through the pain. We called my doctor's office and she told me to call the emergency number to see what the doctor-on-call recommended. I was really pissed at her indecisiveness and indifference. I called and found out that Dr. Kleinberg was on call - he had delivered Dylan too! Not my regular OB and yet he ended up delivering both our boys. I was very happy about that because we had such a great experience with him the first time.
Dr. Kleinberg told me to come on in. We had everything all ready from our "false alarm" earlier in the day so we just jumped in the car and headed back to the hospital. By the time we got to the hospital (it only took us 20-30 minutes to get there) the contractions were 3 minutes apart and lasting up to 1.5 minutes. PAIN! I had to prop myself up against the wall in the triage waiting room, trying to breathe really deep and slow, but man did I want to scream with each contraction.
Once in the triage examination room my cervix as checked and I was at 5 cm and fully effaced. The belly bands were strapped back on and the contractions were still 3 minutes apart lasting 1.5 minutes. I was admitted to a delivery room and Dr. Kleinberg was notified. I think that he was told by my OB to try to keep me comfortable and waiting. I was in a lot of pain but it was manageable because I knew the epidural would be administered soon.
It must have been a busy night because the anaesthesiologist took forever to get to my room. Once there he was constantly answering his cell phone, and trying to give me the epidural between each contraction. I had the needle in my spine during one contraction and he was telling me to keep really still. As if! I was in agony. Finally, the epidural was completed. But to my total dismay it didn't take on my right side. I could feel each contraction to the fullest. Interesting that it was my right side that had issues, all through this pregnancy I had sciatic pain and round ligament pain on my right side. I must have a messed up nerve there or something.
They checked my cervix and again and I was 10 cm and ready to push, much to the nurses surpise, it was about 2 am at this point. I had checked into triage at 12 midnight. Another interesting thing happened, after the young nurse checked my cervix, she was pulling her hand out and my water bag fell out of me, it had not ruptured and was just hanging out there, outside my body. She was a little alarmed and called another nurse over. They were like "We've never seen that happen before". Comforting words, NOT! Joe said that it looked yellow and white-ish. Pretty. They just left me like that waiting for the doctor to give them instructions of what to do next.
During the next contraction the bag ruptured and by that time Dr. Kleinberg had arrived. He got dressed and told me to start pushing. After 3-4 pushes and at 2:45 am Matthew James was born. I was totally numb down there but I could still feel him coming out, I also felt that I had a small rip. One stitch I am told.
We didn't have to have Pitocin or any other hormones. I was all natural in that sense. Needless to say, we didn't keep our 9:30 am appointment to be induced! I am still amazed at how fast my labor progressed from waking up in the morning to having the baby that night/early morning. Overall, it was a less comfortable delivery compared to Dylan but I am really grateful to get a chance to really experience natural early and active labor, since it will be my last pregnancy. And of course we were so thankful that Matthew was born healthy without any complications. He has already lived up to his name which means "Gift of God".
As many of you know, half way through through the pregnancy my doctor discussed the possibility of inducing me at 39 weeks. I was really happy about that since this pregnancy was so physically challenging for me. I had constant lower back and round ligament pain. The doctors kept telling me that Matthew was measuring a week ahead i.e. big, so the thought of inducing was really appealing.
During the last few weeks of the pregnancy I had a lot of cramping, Braxton Hicks contractions and other false labor signs. I was also physically exhausted and mentally beat. I was still doing the 15 hour a week commute to work and living in a house without a kitchen. Dylan was induced a week late (at 41 weeks gestation) so I had no idea what real labor pain was, so with this pregnancy I found myself over analyzing every cramp, discharge, bleeding etc.
Anyway, on Monday morning, November 12, I woke up at around 5:30 am thinking that my water bag had ruptured. I had cramping and little blood so we called my doctor's office and was told to come on in to the hospital to be evaluated. We finished packing our bags for the hospital and called Joe's mom so that she could come and get Dylan. We were on the road to the hospital by 10 am.
We went to the new Prentice Women's Hospital (Northwestern Memorial Hospital) in Chicago, checked into triage and three tests were conducted. A urine test, a smear test and a swab test of the fluids. I was also hooked up with belly bands to the heartbeat monitor. They never checked my cervix. Anyway, the tests came back negative for amniotic fluid, so my water bag did not break. My contractions/cramps weren't close enough to keep me in the hospital and we were told to go home. I was so bummed. Especially, since my doctor was planning to induce me the next morning anyway. We were there, with our bags and so ready to have that baby, but no we had to leave.
I called my doctor on the way home and she told me that she did believed that I was in labor, just not "active" labor. We made a confirmed appointment to come in the next morning at 9:30 am (Tuesday morning) to be induced. We got home at around 3 pm and I went straight to bed. I was bleeding more now and had stronger cramps.
We kept Dylan at his Nana's since it was easier than driving back and forth to Crown Point, plus Joe was trying to finish the kitchen and I was not feeling well enough to watch and entertain Dylan.
At about 5:30 pm I started to experience regular contractions that were about 5-7 minutes apart and lasting 30 seconds each. I was pretty surprised at how regular they were, and at this time they weren't painful. Just really regular!
By 10 pm the contractions were definitely 5 minutes apart and lasting about 1 minute each. Much more pain now and man did I wish that I had taken Lamaze! I had no idea how to breathe through the pain. We called my doctor's office and she told me to call the emergency number to see what the doctor-on-call recommended. I was really pissed at her indecisiveness and indifference. I called and found out that Dr. Kleinberg was on call - he had delivered Dylan too! Not my regular OB and yet he ended up delivering both our boys. I was very happy about that because we had such a great experience with him the first time.
Dr. Kleinberg told me to come on in. We had everything all ready from our "false alarm" earlier in the day so we just jumped in the car and headed back to the hospital. By the time we got to the hospital (it only took us 20-30 minutes to get there) the contractions were 3 minutes apart and lasting up to 1.5 minutes. PAIN! I had to prop myself up against the wall in the triage waiting room, trying to breathe really deep and slow, but man did I want to scream with each contraction.
Once in the triage examination room my cervix as checked and I was at 5 cm and fully effaced. The belly bands were strapped back on and the contractions were still 3 minutes apart lasting 1.5 minutes. I was admitted to a delivery room and Dr. Kleinberg was notified. I think that he was told by my OB to try to keep me comfortable and waiting. I was in a lot of pain but it was manageable because I knew the epidural would be administered soon.
It must have been a busy night because the anaesthesiologist took forever to get to my room. Once there he was constantly answering his cell phone, and trying to give me the epidural between each contraction. I had the needle in my spine during one contraction and he was telling me to keep really still. As if! I was in agony. Finally, the epidural was completed. But to my total dismay it didn't take on my right side. I could feel each contraction to the fullest. Interesting that it was my right side that had issues, all through this pregnancy I had sciatic pain and round ligament pain on my right side. I must have a messed up nerve there or something.
They checked my cervix and again and I was 10 cm and ready to push, much to the nurses surpise, it was about 2 am at this point. I had checked into triage at 12 midnight. Another interesting thing happened, after the young nurse checked my cervix, she was pulling her hand out and my water bag fell out of me, it had not ruptured and was just hanging out there, outside my body. She was a little alarmed and called another nurse over. They were like "We've never seen that happen before". Comforting words, NOT! Joe said that it looked yellow and white-ish. Pretty. They just left me like that waiting for the doctor to give them instructions of what to do next.
During the next contraction the bag ruptured and by that time Dr. Kleinberg had arrived. He got dressed and told me to start pushing. After 3-4 pushes and at 2:45 am Matthew James was born. I was totally numb down there but I could still feel him coming out, I also felt that I had a small rip. One stitch I am told.
We didn't have to have Pitocin or any other hormones. I was all natural in that sense. Needless to say, we didn't keep our 9:30 am appointment to be induced! I am still amazed at how fast my labor progressed from waking up in the morning to having the baby that night/early morning. Overall, it was a less comfortable delivery compared to Dylan but I am really grateful to get a chance to really experience natural early and active labor, since it will be my last pregnancy. And of course we were so thankful that Matthew was born healthy without any complications. He has already lived up to his name which means "Gift of God".
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Matthew one week old
Wow, time flies. I can't believe that Matthew is already a week old.
Here are some new photos.
We still can't get over how tiny he is. He is sleeping a lot, and I am constantly feeding and changing diapers. Matthew likes to poop in a nice clean diaper. As soon as I change a wet diaper he poops. His poops are very loud and forceful, we call him "Thunder Pants". Dylan was the same way when he was an infant.
We aren't sure if Charlie is adjusting well to the new baby or me being at home. She is constantly pacing all day. Also, she has taken to digging in the trash cans for the baby's soiled diapers and tearing them up all over the backyard and living room. UGH!
Dylan has become attached to the baby's crib. He wants to lay in there and stare at the mobile and ceiling. Funny thing is that when he was a baby we couldn't get him to sleep in that crib. Until we got him the race car bed he either slept with us or in the spare bedroom in the double sized bed (with rails).
Dylan thinks that everything is his, especially anything that belongs to the baby. He is very sweet with the baby, when I pick him up from daycare he tells everyone to back off "his" baby. He still can't remember the baby's name. He just calls him "baby". Overall, he is still adjusting to Matthew and only getting 1/2 the attention. But I am relieved that Dylan isn't aggressive towards the baby, that was my worst fear.
I have lost 20 lbs and can fit into regular jeans again. I still have about 25 lbs more to lose. I don't have much of an appetite but am trying to eat healthfully since I am nursing. Mainly I crave sugar and water. I still have difficulty getting around, my sciatic nerve pain and round ligament pain is still evident and I can't lift anything really heavy (ie Dylan).
Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving everyone! We love you.
xoxo
Here are some new photos.
We still can't get over how tiny he is. He is sleeping a lot, and I am constantly feeding and changing diapers. Matthew likes to poop in a nice clean diaper. As soon as I change a wet diaper he poops. His poops are very loud and forceful, we call him "Thunder Pants". Dylan was the same way when he was an infant.
We aren't sure if Charlie is adjusting well to the new baby or me being at home. She is constantly pacing all day. Also, she has taken to digging in the trash cans for the baby's soiled diapers and tearing them up all over the backyard and living room. UGH!
Dylan has become attached to the baby's crib. He wants to lay in there and stare at the mobile and ceiling. Funny thing is that when he was a baby we couldn't get him to sleep in that crib. Until we got him the race car bed he either slept with us or in the spare bedroom in the double sized bed (with rails).
Dylan thinks that everything is his, especially anything that belongs to the baby. He is very sweet with the baby, when I pick him up from daycare he tells everyone to back off "his" baby. He still can't remember the baby's name. He just calls him "baby". Overall, he is still adjusting to Matthew and only getting 1/2 the attention. But I am relieved that Dylan isn't aggressive towards the baby, that was my worst fear.
I have lost 20 lbs and can fit into regular jeans again. I still have about 25 lbs more to lose. I don't have much of an appetite but am trying to eat healthfully since I am nursing. Mainly I crave sugar and water. I still have difficulty getting around, my sciatic nerve pain and round ligament pain is still evident and I can't lift anything really heavy (ie Dylan).
Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving everyone! We love you.
xoxo
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Dylan with Matthew
It took 5 days, but we think that Dylan has finally warmed up to having a little brother.
When we first introduced them, Joe's mom was holding Matthew because I had read that it is better to have a 3rd party introduce the baby so that the older child isn't too jealous of mommy holding a baby or get too territorial.
Unfortunately our plan didn't work out as well as we wanted. Dylan had just woken from a nap and we were in a strange house (Joe's sister's house) and there were other children there (Dylan's cousins) so I think all of this added up to some confusion and indifference towards Matthew. Also, Dylan has been a little under the weather this week and being away from us for two nights caused him to be a little needy.
For the first few days Dylan's take on Matthew varied from being indifferent, confused, loving, jealous and just plain scared of the baby. Dylan leaned over and whispered to me on day two, "I scared of the baby, mama". I was so touched by this confession.
But here we are on day 5 and Dylan is so happy to see his brother in the mornings, wanting to wake him and kiss him. He is very gentle around him and also now very curious. The nursing thing is also confusing to him but he is taking everything in stride. Daddy has given Dylan extra attention and that has helped with the transition, they have really bonded in the last few days. Also, we noticed that Dylan's verbal communication has blossomed since the baby's arrival. Maybe Dylan feels that he has to work harder to remind us that he is still here. One thing for sure, Dylan has only one volume - loud. I hadn't realized how loud he is until we've had to ask him to quiet down because the baby is sleeping etc.
Here are some photos of the boys bonding.
When we first introduced them, Joe's mom was holding Matthew because I had read that it is better to have a 3rd party introduce the baby so that the older child isn't too jealous of mommy holding a baby or get too territorial.
Unfortunately our plan didn't work out as well as we wanted. Dylan had just woken from a nap and we were in a strange house (Joe's sister's house) and there were other children there (Dylan's cousins) so I think all of this added up to some confusion and indifference towards Matthew. Also, Dylan has been a little under the weather this week and being away from us for two nights caused him to be a little needy.
For the first few days Dylan's take on Matthew varied from being indifferent, confused, loving, jealous and just plain scared of the baby. Dylan leaned over and whispered to me on day two, "I scared of the baby, mama". I was so touched by this confession.
But here we are on day 5 and Dylan is so happy to see his brother in the mornings, wanting to wake him and kiss him. He is very gentle around him and also now very curious. The nursing thing is also confusing to him but he is taking everything in stride. Daddy has given Dylan extra attention and that has helped with the transition, they have really bonded in the last few days. Also, we noticed that Dylan's verbal communication has blossomed since the baby's arrival. Maybe Dylan feels that he has to work harder to remind us that he is still here. One thing for sure, Dylan has only one volume - loud. I hadn't realized how loud he is until we've had to ask him to quiet down because the baby is sleeping etc.
Here are some photos of the boys bonding.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Normal results
Matthew's blood test came back "normal" yesterday but we were asked to return to the local hospital today for another bilirubin test. The doctor called and said that the levels have fallen a tad so he thinks that Matthew's jaundice will resolve itself, therefore no phototherapy is needed at this time. I have to keep an eye on him for the next few days to make sure that he doesn't get more yellow.
I did some research and found this information on KidsHealth.Org:
"A common condition in newborns, jaundice refers to the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells.
Normally bilirubin passes through the liver and is excreted as bile through the intestines. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up faster than a newborn's liver can break it down and pass it from the body. Reasons for this include:
A newborn baby's still-developing liver may not yet be able to remove adequate bilirubin from the blood.
More bilirubin is being made than the infant's liver can handle.
Too large an amount of bilirubin is reabsorbed from the intestines before the baby gets rid of it in the stool.
High levels of bilirubin - usually above 20 mg - can cause deafness, cerebral palsy, or brain damage in some babies. In rare cases, jaundice may indicate the presence of hepatitis. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants should be examined for jaundice within a few days after being born."
Matthew's levels today were around 9 mg. After I read the part about hepatitis, I was thinking, Matthew did get a hepatitis shot before we checked out of the hospital on Wednesday, I wonder if the shot might have had a little to do with all of this. Besides an immature liver, jaundice may also be caused by something in the mother's breastmilk, or blood group incompatibility.
Whatever might have been the cause, I am sure he wll get better. Here are photos of Matthew waiting patiently and very calmly for his bilirubin test. He is a very quiet baby and a good eater and sleeper (so far!). His eyes are dark blue, but you can't really tell in these photos. You can see that his skin is a tad yellow, but I think less so than yesterday.
These photos were taken today and Matthew is 4 days old.
I did some research and found this information on KidsHealth.Org:
"A common condition in newborns, jaundice refers to the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells.
Normally bilirubin passes through the liver and is excreted as bile through the intestines. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up faster than a newborn's liver can break it down and pass it from the body. Reasons for this include:
A newborn baby's still-developing liver may not yet be able to remove adequate bilirubin from the blood.
More bilirubin is being made than the infant's liver can handle.
Too large an amount of bilirubin is reabsorbed from the intestines before the baby gets rid of it in the stool.
High levels of bilirubin - usually above 20 mg - can cause deafness, cerebral palsy, or brain damage in some babies. In rare cases, jaundice may indicate the presence of hepatitis. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants should be examined for jaundice within a few days after being born."
Matthew's levels today were around 9 mg. After I read the part about hepatitis, I was thinking, Matthew did get a hepatitis shot before we checked out of the hospital on Wednesday, I wonder if the shot might have had a little to do with all of this. Besides an immature liver, jaundice may also be caused by something in the mother's breastmilk, or blood group incompatibility.
Whatever might have been the cause, I am sure he wll get better. Here are photos of Matthew waiting patiently and very calmly for his bilirubin test. He is a very quiet baby and a good eater and sleeper (so far!). His eyes are dark blue, but you can't really tell in these photos. You can see that his skin is a tad yellow, but I think less so than yesterday.
These photos were taken today and Matthew is 4 days old.
Matthew's first check-up.
We took Matthew to his first check-up yesterday and Dylan for his annual flu shot.
Overall, Matthew looks good. He did have to get some blood work done, he has a touch of jaundice. I wish that we hadn't checked out of the hospital a day early now. He has to have another heel prick and retested again today and then depending on the results we might be sent home with a photo-therapy lights (or whatever they are called, I can't remember).
It was quite an experience having to get both kids (and Joe) out of bed, dressed and on the road for an early morning doctors appointment. We were 20 minutes late, and I hate being late for anything. We survived it, although we were all a tad grumpy.
Dylan took his flu shot like a champ.
Sorry no photos, in our haste to get to the appointment we didn't think of taking photos.
I will post later after I get Matthew's blood test results.
Overall, Matthew looks good. He did have to get some blood work done, he has a touch of jaundice. I wish that we hadn't checked out of the hospital a day early now. He has to have another heel prick and retested again today and then depending on the results we might be sent home with a photo-therapy lights (or whatever they are called, I can't remember).
It was quite an experience having to get both kids (and Joe) out of bed, dressed and on the road for an early morning doctors appointment. We were 20 minutes late, and I hate being late for anything. We survived it, although we were all a tad grumpy.
Dylan took his flu shot like a champ.
Sorry no photos, in our haste to get to the appointment we didn't think of taking photos.
I will post later after I get Matthew's blood test results.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
A quick sneak look
No time to write anything but I know that everyone is patiently waiting to see a photo of Matthew. Here he at birth and at one day old.
Thanks for the beautiful flowers, from Shelly & Jim and my peeps at Hyatt Gaming.
Thanks for the beautiful flowers, from Shelly & Jim and my peeps at Hyatt Gaming.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Happy Birthday Matthew James!
Matthew James Greco was born at 2:45 am on November 13. He weighed in at 7 lbs 13 oz. and 21 inches long. He is healthy and beautiful and looks just like his dad and uncles! He does have my dimples and toes. We will post a photo as soon as we get home tomorrow and will also fill you in on all the gory delivery details. Needless to say, I never made it to my induction appointment. He was an early and spontaneous delivery.
Joe & I are tired but so thrilled to have him here at last and we can't wait until Dylan meets his baby brother.
Thanks for all your calls, emails and comments. xoxox
Joe & I are tired but so thrilled to have him here at last and we can't wait until Dylan meets his baby brother.
Thanks for all your calls, emails and comments. xoxox
Monday, November 12, 2007
False alarm??
We sent Dylan to Nana's this morning and headed off to Northwestern hoping to have the baby. My water didn't not break as I had thought and since the contractions weren't close enough, they sent us home. We were so disappointed!
The contractions are much stronger now lasting 20 seconds each. And closer together, every 6 minutes, and I am bleeding more(sorry TMI) but since we have an appointment to be induced tomorrow at 9:30 am. Joe and I are going to try and last through the night at home and work through the prelabor pains.
I miss my Dylan, he will be at his Nana's for the next few nights.
Hopefully the next time we post we will have finally have this baby!
The contractions are much stronger now lasting 20 seconds each. And closer together, every 6 minutes, and I am bleeding more(sorry TMI) but since we have an appointment to be induced tomorrow at 9:30 am. Joe and I are going to try and last through the night at home and work through the prelabor pains.
I miss my Dylan, he will be at his Nana's for the next few nights.
Hopefully the next time we post we will have finally have this baby!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Dylan's last days as an only child
We are giving Dylan some extra lovin' these days. His last days as an only child. I wish I had the physical stamina to take him to the zoo or aquarium or something special. Here are some photos I managed to take of him. He hates having his picture taken.
Here is on of him playing with the mouse pad we had made right after he was born. The photo on the mouse pad is of him about a week old.
More photos taken today. Dylan is one month away from turning 3 years old.
At lunch today.
Concentrating very hard on the computer. He loves looking at photos of himself on our screensaver.
Here is on of him playing with the mouse pad we had made right after he was born. The photo on the mouse pad is of him about a week old.
More photos taken today. Dylan is one month away from turning 3 years old.
At lunch today.
Concentrating very hard on the computer. He loves looking at photos of himself on our screensaver.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Update on the baby
I had a good doctors appointment today. I am 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced. She said that I am ready to deliver (duh!). She will get back to me about when the hospital will have space for me. We are thinking it will be early next week. Yippee!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)